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Evaluating Behaviorally Motivated Policy: Experimental Evidence from the Lightbulb Market

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  • Hunt Allcott
  • Dmitry Taubinsky

Abstract

Imperfect information and inattention to energy costs are important potential motivations for energy efficiency standards and subsidies. We evaluate these motivations in the lightbulb market using a theoretical model and two randomized experiments. We derive welfare effects as functions of reduced-form sufficient statistics capturing economic and psychological parameters, which we estimate using a novel within-subject information disclosure experiment. The main results suggest that moderate subsidies for energy-efficient lightbulbs may increase welfare, but informational and attentional biases alone do not justify a ban on incandescent lightbulbs. Our results and techniques generate broader methodological insights into welfare analysis with misoptimizing consumers. (JEL D12, D83, H21, H31, L67, Q41, Q48)

Suggested Citation

  • Hunt Allcott & Dmitry Taubinsky, 2015. "Evaluating Behaviorally Motivated Policy: Experimental Evidence from the Lightbulb Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(8), pages 2501-2538, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:105:y:2015:i:8:p:2501-38
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.20131564
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jacob Goldin & Tatiana Homonoff, 2010. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Cigarette Tax Salience and Regressivity," Working Papers 1278, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    2. Jacob Goldin & Tatiana Homonoff, 2011. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Cigarette Tax Salience and Regressivity," Working Papers 561a, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    3. Jacob Goldin & Tatiana Homonoff, 2013. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Cigarette Tax Salience and Regressivity," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 5(1), pages 302-336, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • L67 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Other Consumer Nondurables: Clothing, Textiles, Shoes, and Leather Goods; Household Goods; Sports Equipment
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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    1. Evaluating Behaviorally Motivated Policy: Experimental Evidence from the Lightbulb Market (AER 2015) in ReplicationWiki

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